Mark Hughes's Stoke City team is expected to be backed by about 1,000 fans when they take on Champions League contenders RB Leipzig in their final friendly of pre-season (3.45pm UK time).

Hughes has been taking his squad around central Europe during the summer in a programme that has been far more busy than the previous two years. Trips to Switzerland, France and Germany – as well as northern England – have involved eight first team games in all.

The Potters have already taken on Monaco – losing 4-2 in Martigny – but Leipzig, just a week away from their season kicking off for real too – will probably be the stiffest test of the lot, even if they are still expected to make changes.

The East German club, financially backed by Red Bull, finished second behind Bayern Munich in their debut Bundesliga season and will be led this afternoon by midfielder Naby Keïta, Liverpool's top target, and striker Timo Werner, reportedly wanted by Real Madrid.

They had sold 18,000 tickets by yesterday morning at the stadium which was used at the 2006 World Cup – with a capacity of 42,959, it has been home to RB Leipzig since 2010 – and 1,000 of those have been snapped up by visiting supporters.

Stoke fans have started arriving through the week via plane, train, bus and car and Hughes will give his strongest indication yet about how he plans to line up when the Premier League gets going at Everton next Saturday.

Having made 11 changes for Tuesday's defeat at St Pauli, Joselu, Bojan and Mame Diouf are the main candidates fighting for a place in today's starting XI. The manager also has to decide whether to go with three at the back, which he has used in his last two friendlies.

Spotters are also on alert for new faces in the stand as Stoke close in on signing a forward, which is expected to be wrapped up early next week.

RB Leipzig have planned a day of family entertainment around the match, starting at 12pm local time with a birthday party and giant cake for their mascot Bullis. A mass photograph with players and supporters will take place after full-time.